GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Despite the loss of five key seniors from the 2009 season, the Gettysburg College field hockey team enters the 2010 campaign with high hopes.

The Bullets return 16 letterwinners and six starters, including a highly-experienced defensive unit, from last year's squad that finished 14-5, placed second in the Centennial Conference (CC) at 8-2, and appeared in the CC playoffs for the seventh straight season. Led by ninth-year head coach Barb Jordan, the Bullets were picked to finish third in the Centennial and were ranked No. 20 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Preseason Coaches Poll.

“I think we have a really strong senior class in terms of leadership. They've done a great job in the preseason keeping everybody focused,” said Jordan. “On the field, I was a little concerned with losing our seniors from last year. But instead of looking it at is a rebuilding year, we decided to look at is as a great opportunity for some people to step up, and I think we've done that.”

Offensively, the Bullets lost their top two scorers from last year in Lexie Hearn '10, a First Team All-CC selection last season who led Gettysburg with 25 points on a team-leading 10 goals and five assists, and Nina Emala '10, who notched seven goals and two assists.

This season, Jordan will look to seniors Annie Marosits and Nicole Meredyth for offensive production. Marosits played in 18 games and started seven contests last year, finishing with one goal and one assist. Meredyth played in 16 games and posted two goals and one assist.

Also returning up front is sophomore Katie Savage, who totaled four goals and one assist a year ago while making 12 starts. Other returning forwards include junior Sarah Cole, who had two goals and two assists in 15 games and two starts last season, and sophomore Kelly Madden, who posted one goal in two games played. Several freshmen could also make an impact in the circle.

“I'm looking to our upperclassmen to carry the load [offensively], but there are some younger players that could really help us a lot.”

Graduation also claimed the team's top two midfielders in Vanessa Pabon '10 and Molly Latta '10. Pabon, a two-time first-team all-conference and NFHCA second-team all-region selection, made her mark as an outstanding defensive middie and contributed offensively with one goal and five assists last season. Latta added three goals and three assists and was named to the All-CC Second Team.

The Bullets do return one starting midfielder in senior Casey Bialek, who finished with two assists in 2009. Sophomore Emily Kleinburd is also back after posting one goal and one assist over 12 games last season while classmate Caroline Clark also returns. Several freshmen could also step into prominent roles in the midfield.

“I was concerned about [the midfield] coming into the season, but after seeing how some of our players have been stepping up and how the freshmen have contributed, I don't think it will be as much of a weakness as I originally thought. It could actually turn out to be one of our strengths.”

Although the Bullets lost a two-year starter at goalkeeper, the Bullets will feature a number of talented players on defense, which finished second in the Centennial Conference in goals-against average (1.38) and set a school record with 10 shutouts last year. Leading the way is senior Alyssa Heimbach, an honorable mention All-CC pick last year. She made her mark at both ends of the field, contributing five goals and five assists to finish third on the team with 15 points.

“We have her playing a little more offense for us even though she's a defensive player,” said Jordan of Heimbach. “She's a threat with a ball and is tough stop. And on the other end, she's tough to get by.”

Also returning as starting defenders are senior Laura McIntyre and juniors Megan Bernstein and Martha Tahsler while classmate Molly Burton comes back after playing 14 games. Bernstein led the team with five defensive saves last season while Tahsler added one goal and two assists. Burton also scored a goal for the Bullets.

Junior Carey Davis and sophomore Ally Duggan provide the Bullets with additional defensive options.

“I think more this year than other years, we have middies who can go up and play offense or go back and play defense. We're a lot more interchangeable than we've been before,” said Jordan.

At goalie, sophomore Megan Feeg will be called on to fill in for Christina Anderson '10, a two-year starter and all-conference pick last season. Feeg appeared in one game last season.

“She's looked great,” said Jordan of Feeg. “She's very aggressive, but also very calm. She plays really well with the group around her.”

The Bullets open their season on Friday, when they visit Eastern Mennonite University at 4 p.m. in a non-conference date. The team's home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 11 against non-league opponent Cabrini College.